Ei-iE

Peter Marshall / Demotix Images
Peter Marshall / Demotix Images

Trade union rights are human rights

Trade unionists are far too often subject to attacks by repressive governments. Every year, many are subjected to violence, arrest and imprisonment, torture and even murder. Trade union leaders in education are targeted by non-democratic governments who seek total control of education, and deny teachers and education support personnel their rights.

Even in democratic countries, many education workers are denied the right to join unions and/or engage in collective bargaining. Where bargaining exists, limits on its scope can be imposed. Moreover, teachers and education support personnel are denied the right to strike.

Education International also supports the right of students to organise and join the fight for more inclusive and democratic communities.

Working closely with our member organisations, other global unions and human rights networks, we use supervisory mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels to ensure rights and standards are respected and social dialogue is effective.

Solidarity actions among our global membership are a powerful tool to advance rights everywhere.

Our work in this area

  1. News 9 July 2015

    Nigeria: Educators killed in a brutal Boko Haram attack

    Twenty-eight primary school teachers were killed after extremists set off a bomb that ripped through a crowded group of civil servants in north-western Nigeria, the latest in a string of deadly attacks this week.

    Nigeria: Educators killed in a brutal Boko Haram attack
  2. News 4 July 2015

    Iranian teacher union leader jailed

    Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, was arrested following his attempt to obtain a visa to attend the 7th Education International World Congress in Ottawa, Canada later this month.

    Iranian teacher union leader jailed
  3. News 2 July 2015

    Canada: the Quebecois union elected its new leadership for trade union renewal

    To close its 41th Congress, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec elected its new Executive Committee tasked with combating austerity measures that are aimed at cutting funding to the province’s education system.

    Canada: the Quebecois union elected its new leadership for trade union renewal
  4. News 30 June 2015

    Ukraine: union protests reach a tipping point

    Thousands of education workers plan to take to the streets in protest in the wake of unresolved labour violations by the Ukrainian government and employers following months of increasing tensions across multiple sectors.

    Ukraine: union protests reach a tipping point
  5. News 17 June 2015

    Bahraini human and trade union rights defenders receive global Award

    Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights to the leaders of its Bahraini affiliate, which acknowledges their struggle for quality education, human and trade union rights.

    Bahraini human and trade union rights defenders receive global Award
  6. News 12 June 2015

    EI says NO to child labour – YES to Quality Education!

    The most recent global estimates suggest that one in ten children between the ages of 5 and 14 is involved in child labour, preventing them from attending school. In Sub Saharan Africa, where the incidence is at its highest, a reported 21% of children are forced to work.

    EI says NO to child labour – YES to Quality Education!
  7. News 5 June 2015

    A Teachers’ Code for fair recruitment

    A new Code, backed by the American Federation of Teachers, will help ensure that international recruitment and employment of teachers in the United States is ethical, fair and transparent.

    A Teachers’ Code for fair recruitment
  8. News 5 June 2015

    Education International puts teachers’ voice at the centre of talks in Geneva

    Freedom of association and the right to strike remain contested issues at the International Labour Conference, where EI is making the case for better working conditions for all workers and increased social dialogue worldwide.

    Education International puts teachers’ voice at the centre of talks in Geneva
  9. News 27 May 2015

    Zimbabwe: Teachers advancing a rights culture

    Helping teachers to embrace their universal rights in and outside of the classroom was the focus of hands-on training sessions held in Zimbabwe last month to foster a strong culture of rights.

    Zimbabwe: Teachers advancing a rights culture
  10. 20 May 2015

    “I can be sent back to prison at any time»

    Sakine Esen Yilmaz and Mehmet Bozgeyik, the current and former general secretaries of the Turkish education union, E?itim Sen, are to be presented with the FNV’s « Febe Elisabeth Vasquez » prize at the end of May. The prize is awarded to trade union leaders who have fought for human...

    “I can be sent back to prison at any time»
  11. News 20 May 2015

    The Netherlands: Turkish trade union leaders awarded

    Two Turkish trade unionists have been awarded the Febe Elisabeth Velasquez trade union award 2015 for their exceptional trade union work by the biggest trade union confederation in the Netherlands.

    The Netherlands: Turkish trade union leaders awarded
  12. News 24 April 2015

    Former SUNY professor dies in drone strike

    The international higher education community mourns the death of an American colleague, Dr Warren Weinstein, who was held hostage by al-Qaida on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan since 13 August 2011.

    Former SUNY professor dies in drone strike
  13. News 22 April 2015

    USA: #BringBackOurGirls from Nigeria, say American educators

    One year after their abduction by Boko Haram terrorists, two female Nigerian students who escaped their kidnappers were hosted by American education unionists who renewed their pledge to see the remaining kidnapped students returned to their families.

    USA: #BringBackOurGirls from Nigeria, say American educators